11 Facts About Liverpool

News & Press May 13 2015, Alexander Pooley

Psst… Do you know Liverpool?

You know, a lot of people don’t actually know that much about Liverpool, besides the obvious fact that The Beatles comes from there. And that’s such a terrible shame for such a beautiful city! We think it’s about time someone actually pointed out some interesting facts about Liverpool. Here are 11 things you most likely never even knew about the city that brought us one of the greatest music groups in world history.

1. Is a World Heritage Site

Liverpool’s waterfront is a designated World Heritage Site. That puts it on par with the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China!

The accolade was granted by UNESCO in July 2004. The city’s bid was centred on Liverpool as a Maritime Mercantile city and reflected the city’s significance as a commercial port at the time of Britain’s greatest global influence.

The World Heritage Site stretches along the waterfront from Albert Dock, through The Pier Head and up to Stanley Dock, and up through the historic commercial districts and the RopeWalks area to St George’s Quarter, which is dominated by the magnificent St George’s Hall.

2. Has more museums and galleries than anywhere outside London

Liverpool has one of the most impressive collections of museums in Europe.

Opened in 2011 in a landmark waterfront building, the Museum of Liverpool is the UK’s first museum dedicated to the history of a city. Visitors can explore how Liverpool’s port, its people and its creative, industrial and sporting history have shaped the city.

Many museums and galleries are located around the Albert Dock, such as the Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum, where you can find out all about the companies, people and ships connected to this port city.

St George’s Quarter, close to Lime Street station, is home to World Museum, where you can discover treasures from around the world, meet live creatures and explore outer space.

Tate Liverpool needs no introduction – it stages major international exhibitions of modern art, featuring work by everyone from Tracey Emin to Picasso.

Open Eye Gallery is an independent not-for-profit photography gallery championing photography as an art form and staging challenging and entertaining exhibitions.

3. Has the most amount of Grade II-listed buildings outside London

Liverpool has the largest collection of Grade II-listed buildings outside London. The city has 2,500 listed buildings and 250 public monuments.

4. Had the world’s first passenger railway line

The world’s first passenger railway line was built in 1830, from Liverpool to nearby Manchester. A local member of Parliament was killed soon after, in the first ever railway accident.

5. Had the first lending library, school of tropical medicine, and school for the blind

Liverpool was the first city in the world to have a lending library, a school of tropical medicine and an American consul. It was the first UK city to have a school for the blind!

6. Is a filming industry hotspot

Liverpool has a thriving film industry. Films that have been shot there include The Hunt For Red October, The 51st State, The Parole Officer and Letter To Brezhnev. The city was used as a location for more than 140 films last year and has doubled for Moscow, Dublin, Paris and even Venice.

7. Holds the Guinness Book of Records title for being the Capital of Pop

Now this is almost too obvious to even mention… but heck, it needs to be said! Liverpool holds the Guinness Book of Records title for being the Capital of Pop. More artists with a Liverpool origin have had a number one hit than from any other location. And of course, Liverpudlian legends The Beatles changed the face of popular music.

8. Most successful footballing city in all of England

Liverpool is the most successful footballing city in England, home to both Liverpool and Everton. It has won 27 League championships, five European Cups, three Uefa Cups, one Cup Winners cup, 11 FA Cups, and six League Cups.

9. Was once the “Second City of Empire”

The city of Liverpool was created in 1207 when King John granted a Royal Charter which was written in Latin. Liverpool was once the “Second City of Empire”, eclipsing even London for commerce at times.

10. Was the European Capital of Culture in 2008

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension. Liverpool beat five other hopefuls – Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead and Oxford – to win the coveted prize.

11. Is the 5th most popular destination for international visitors

Liverpool in 2013 was the 5th most popular destination for international visitors with 562,000 staying visits up from 550,000 in 2012. And 5th most visited English destination for British domestic visitors (1.68m overnight visits).

It was 6th for pure holiday trips (703,000) in 2012 and 6th for business tourism (289,000)!

Liverpool welcomes approximately £58 million visitors per year, and the tourist industry therefore supports 48,600 jobs. Its popularity is thought to be due to The Beatles, its extensive maritime history, its flourishing art scene and its exceptional leisure facilities, such as Liverpool One.

Liverpool is one of the world’s most distinctive and creative cities. From its stunning World Heritage waterfront to its vibrant culture, stylish shops and restaurants, it’s a city with a unique spirit and personality. It’s a city that even Londoners are leaving the capital for, so why not enjoy some hot Scouse and take in everything this fabulous city has to offer!